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Board delays decision on SFMTA medallion revocations after contested legal debate
Summary
The Board of Appeals continued appeals over SFMTA medallion revocations, including George Horrible’s case, to Feb. 16, 2022 for supplemental briefing on prior decisions and to allow an absent commissioner to vote. A prior motion to reinstate one medallion failed for lack of a four‑vote majority.
The Board of Appeals on Nov. 17 heard extended public testimony and legal argument over SFMTA notices of non‑renewal and revocation for taxi medallions, including the appeal by medallion holder George Horrible (medallion 1303). After a day of testimony from SFMTA staff, appellants’ counsel and dozens of public commenters, the board voted to continue the matters to Feb. 16, 2022 to allow supplemental briefing on earlier Board decisions and to permit the absent vice president to participate in a final vote.
Phil Crana, Enforcement and Legal Affairs Manager for SFMTA’s Taxi Services, described a multi‑year enforcement effort that affected “2 57 medallion holders, impacting 3 16 medallions” (transcript figures reported as stated) and said many holders cured defects after notice. SFMTA staff said the Transportation Code and Proposition K provisions permit non‑renewal where a medallion holder does not possess a current California driver’s license or an A‑card.
Appellants argued the board has previously protected disabled and elderly holders in earlier decisions and raised ADA and equitable‑remedy considerations. Appellants’ counsel and multiple public commenters said the enforcement disproportionately affects older or disabled medallion holders who had expected a transfer or sales program (Prop K sales/compensation) as a retirement option. Commenters alleged the credit union and MTA processes had created pressure to pursue revocations; those allegations were contested by city counsel and SFMTA.
President Honda moved to grant one appeal and reinstate a medallion but the motion fell short of the four‑vote threshold. Given legal complexity and references to 2003 Board decisions cited by appellants, the board instead voted 4‑0 to continue the consolidated medallion matters to Feb. 16, 2022 so parties can provide fuller briefing and the absent vice president may vote.
The board’s continued schedule means no final revocation action was taken at the Nov. 17 meeting; affected parties were instructed to submit additional materials and the matters will return to the board in February.
